Two major events of note to INDEX happened in the first few months of the year. First is that Director Ambrosius and the Russian government had something of a falling out. You are unsure of what happened, but from Director Ambrosius' comments, the Russians tried to exert some pressure on INDEX as it was formed to get a foot in the door as everything gets sorted out. The director rebuffed them and some harsh words were exchanged between him and President Putin.
The end result is that Russia is less supportive of INDEX and while they aren't close to withdrawing from the INDEX Initiative, the Russians have chosen to reduce the amount of funding and other support provided to the organisation.
The second is a massive alien spacecraft crashing in Antarctica in early March. About a mile long in length, the UFO is significantly larger than the previously
Alpha-class. Where the
Alpha-class UFO is roughly thirty metres wide and circular-shaped, the crashed UFO is a long rectangular block.
Perhaps most interesting of all is that the UFO is cleared of any crew. While all of the equipment seems to still be functional, the Rapid Response Teams that investigated it found no sign of the crew. No live aliens were found and neither were any dead aliens. A metaphorical ghost ship that seemed ripe for the taking, almost too good to be true.
Apparently the INDEX Council argued who got to claim it before Director Ambrosius pointed out that under the terms of the INDEX Initiative, INDEX gets first claim to any alien salvage to avoid this sort of argument. The Council eventually agreed with the director's point of view though he has privately mentioned to you that he had to burn a bunch of political capital to get the Council to agree with his interpretation of the INDEX Initiative agreement.
Council Members
Argentina = Neutral (+10 Resources)
Australia = Neutral (+20 Resources)
Brazil = Neutral (+15 Resources)
Canada = Neutral (+20 Resources)
China = Neutral (+30 Resources)
Egypt = Mild Support (+6 Resources)
France = Neutral (+20 Resources)
Germany = Neutral (+20 Resources)
India = Neutral (+20 Resources)
Japan = Neutral (+20 Resources)
Mexico = Mild Support (+24 Resources)
Nigeria = Neutral (+10 Resources)
Russia = Mild Opposition (+14 Resources)
South Africa = Neutral (+5 Resources)
United Kingdom = Neutral (+20 Resources)
United States = Mild Opposition (+28 Resources)
Stats.
Resources (R): 282 + 183 in reserve.
Political Support (PS): 50 (-1 per turn)
Free Dice: 0
Basing: Minor Surpluses (+3)
Logistics: Small Surpluses (+2)
Manpower: Massive Reserves (+21) (+1 per turn)
Gear: Small Surpluses (+2)
Fuel: Small Surpluses (+2)
Medical: Small Surpluses (+2)
Supplies: Moderate Surpluses (+6)
Salvage: None (+0)
[-] Delta Base (Phase 1)
Located in the Scottish Highlands, Delta Bae will be the centre of INDEX operations in Europe. Located in his home country, the Director has indicated that he intends for Delta Base to be the unofficial primary HQ for INDEX.
(117/100, 10 Resources per Die) (17/150) (+3 Basing) (+1 PS)
Work begins on INDEX's Delta Base in the Scottish Highlands in a location that is a suitable distance to any major settlements to both ensure security and to keep civilians from being caught up as collateral damage in any actions taken against the base. The initial construction will only be the foundation of the base with a limited set of labs, barracks and supply depots alongside a landing strip and landing pad. Built partially above ground and underground, there are multiple security checkpoints to hopefully keep out any hostile intruders or otherwise unwanted visitors..
Additionally, there is some spare room for INDEX to develop into what they need, either for specialist facilities or anything they want to get done in-house. There are plans for future expansions to Delta Base, mainly to turn it into a proper administrative headquarters. For now, the bulk of the INDEX Initiative's administrators have begun to transfer their work to Delta Base and Director Ambrosius himself has indicated that he will be using Delta Base as his primary workplace.
[-] Echo Base (Phase 1)
Located in Hong Kong, Echo Base will be the centre of INDEX operations in Asia. While heavily urban civilian areas around it will limit military potential, Echo Base is intended to be a major R&D location for INDEX.
(16/100, 10 Resources per Die) (+3 Basing)
The work on Echo Base in Hong Kong suffers more difficulties than Delta Base does. Primarily acquiring the land as while the Chinese government offers no opposition, INDEX struggles to buy up enough land to get the space to build their new base. While INDEX is able to buy up enough land to meet its needs, it takes up more time and budget than expected, delaying the progress made on Echo Base over the last few months.
[-] Top Off Stocks
While the Council has made sure to ensure that INDEX starts off with plenty of supplies, there is still some room for improvement. INDEX could reach out in a few minor ways to top off their current stockpiles without making any major undertakings to do so.
(65/100, 5 Resources per Die) (+1 Gear, +Fuel, +1 Medical, +1 Supplies)
Attempts to top off the starting stocks are mixed. While INDEX is able to reach out to the Council countries and most say that they have no problem with providing the organisation with additional supplies, they are hesitant to part with those supplies. This quarter, INDEX only receives a marginal amount of supplies and additional pressure on the Council will be required to receive the rest of the supplies.
[-] Establish Supplier Contracts
While INDEX is being sufficiently supplied by the members of the Council for now, that will almost certainly change in the future as things heat up. Reaching out to various suppliers across the globe to arrange mutually beneficial contracts will help improve the logistical situation of INDEX.
(108/150, 10 Resources per Die) (+4 Logistics)
While INDEX can rely upon the Council to keep itself supplied, it could be more efficient to cut out the middleman and go directly to the suppliers. Due to the large variety of military equipment producers used by the various countries that make up the Council, it is taking a while to hammer out the various deals. A few have been passed, but the majority will require more time and attention before either party is willing to sign them.
[-] Establish Recruitment Centres
INDEX currently has plenty of manpower available to it, but it will quickly eat into that excess as it expands. Setting up recruitment centres in Council countries will help ensure that INDEX will have a steady influx of new recruits.
(157/100, 10 Resources per Die) (+1 Manpower per turn)
While manpower concerns won't be an issue for INDEX in a long time, it will eventually be something that INDEX needs to worry about. Given how long it takes to train up reliable personnel when it comes to both competence and loyalty, INDEX has decided to get ahead of the game. In the various countries of the Council, INDEX has set up a series of recruitment centres and training sites to begin providing the organisation with a steady trickle of recruits that can be turned into usable manpower.
[-] Investigate Experimental Technologies
There are several unmatured technologies native to Earth that are still in the experimental stage such as exoskeletons, lasers and railguns. Have INDEX's researchers look into their potential for use by INDEX.
(166/100, 20 Resources per Die)
Looking across the various experimental technologies that could be turned to combating the alien threat, there are three areas that primarily stand out to INDEX. These are exoskeletons, laser weaponry and railguns.
Unfortunately, none of them are mature territory and are considered to be experimental weapons for a reason. Lasers can be produced, but the required qualities to consider them weapons cannot be. A powerful enough laser is too short-ranged to be used as a weapon while long-ranged lasers lack the punch to be effective at anything more than incapacitation. While some hope that alien technology might be the key to effective laser weapons, it cannot be denied that laser weaponry is not currently a viable technology for humanity at the moment.
Railguns are another promising technology, but they come with several drawbacks and it is arguable if they are more effective than current modern weapons. Between requiring extensive power to function and functionality rapidly degrading with usage, railguns aren't currently viable weapons. That could change if viable materials and a sufficient power source could be found, but for now, railguns aren't something that INDEX can make use of.
Exoskeletons have been a promising idea, but modern examples have substantial issues that need to be resolved before they can become viable for practical use. The first is power as an exoskeleton requires substantial power to operate which means that it must either be hooked up to a generator or rely upon batteries, which limits its time in the field. Second is getting the exoskeleton to work with the user as both must be able to detect the movements of the other, something which requires more work. Finally, an exoskeleton currently has to be custom-fitted to each user as without precisely matching the user, it can be dangerous to the body of the wearer.
[-] Security Division
While INDEX has plenty of soldiers at its disposal, it lacks a dedicated security division. Organising a section of in-house security guards will help provide greater security than just using soldiers as the specialists will be trained for the job rather than being forced into due to a lack of better options.
(190/200, 15 Resources per Die) (-3 Manpower)
To help ensure the security of its bases and other sites, INDEX has decided to create a new division to handle its internal security. While base security was previously handled by members of INDEX's military forces, those duties will be taken over by the specialists of this new Security Division. Beyond allowing the soldiers to focus on their primary roles, allowing dedicated professionals to handle security is expected to see an increase in efficiency and effectiveness.
Yet while the Security Division is effectively organised this quarter, the final bits of paperwork and other administrative work still require doing. So while INDEX has members of its Security Division guarding Delta Base, a bit more work is required before additional security-based projects can be begun.
[-] National Liaisons
INDEX may have access to the territory of the Council to fight back against this brewing alien invasion, but that isn't the same as coordinating and cooperating with the local military forces. Reach out to the various national militaries that INDEX will be interacting with to set up efficient lines of communications.
(45/100, 10 Resources per Die) (+1 PS)
While INDEX will be the first and foremost defence against the alien invasion, it won't be the only one. The local militaries of the Council countries will still do their best to combat the alien menace even if they won't be as focused on it as INDEX is. Whilst in theory INDEX already has the support of the local militaries under the terms of the INDEX Initiative, this isn't necessarily the case in practice.
To this end, INDEX has launched an outreach to its counterparts, hoping to secure mutually beneficial and supporting arrangements with the various local militaries. Initial talks have gone well and while the gist of the agreement has been decided upon, the details still need to be hammered out.
[-] Recruitment Drives
INDEX has plenty of capable individuals working for it already, but there are plenty of other individuals and small organisations that could be incorporated into INDEX to improve it even further. Looking into possible new additions to be integrated into INDEX.
(124) (DC30/50/70/90)
Pick four. No plan voting.
[]
Feng Zhang
While Feng Zhang has failed to secure your position, he is still interested in working for INDEX. A competent and trustworthy politician, he could be effective at off-setting your...disadvantages.
(+1 Political Support per turn, +5 Resources per turn, +1 Services Die)
[]
Doctor Tanya Dragomirov
Doctor Tanya Dragomirov is a promising rising star in the international scientific society. Originating from Russia, the young woman has expressed a desire to work for INDEX for the chance to protect humanity and work with alien technology. While most scientists fade into the crowd, Doctor Dragomirov has enough talent to stand out.
(+10 to Research Dice, +1 Research Die)
[]
Integrated Contractors (Choose Two)
While using external contractors or any outside organisation is unaccept for INDEX, it could be possible to fully integrate some contractors into INDE full-time.
-[] +1 Infrastructure Die.
-[] +1 Industry Die.
-[] +1 Services Die.
-[] +1 Research Die.
-[] +1 Military Die.
-[] +1 Administration Die.
[]
Roj Girvav
Roj Girvav is a veteran Kurdish freedom fighter and while some might consider it questionable, Turkey isn't part of the INDEX Council while Roj Girvav is a talented military leader. While aliens are a different foe to what Roj Girvav is used to fighting, the attack of Mecca is enough motivation for the man to be willing to work for INDEX.
(+5 to Military Dice, +1 Military Die)
[]
DARPA
While the United States isn't willing to hand over the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to INDEX, it is willing to let INDEX work with them. DARPA would be a major boost to INDEX's research and development operations, but while President Obama is supportive of INDEX, there is no guarantee that his successor will also be.
(+2 to Research Dice, +1 Research Dice, +1 Military Die)
[]
Phoenixolutions
A small, but enterprising business, Phoenixsolutions is talented enough to be a meaningful addition to INDEX and its size means that such a thing is viable. Good at infrastructure projects, some tentative outreach to Phoenixsolutions has confirmed that its owner and the majority of its staff will be open to joining INDEX in full.
(+5 to Infrastructure Dice, +1 Infrastructure Die)
[] Zelmire Zamfir
Zelmire Zamfir is a mysterious pick who has been recommended and vouched for by Director Ambrosius. In fact, he is so mysterious that you aren't even sure what he is capable of, though the director assures you that he will be worth it.
(???)
***
First turn done and it seems reasonably successful even if things could have been better. A few choices to be made in this update though none of them are to do with the crashed UFO as that is above your paygrade.
Speaking of it, it seems almost too good to be true right? The aliens just happened to crash one of their bigger ships on the first turn. Almost makes you think that there might be something more to it. Anyway, I am going to be coy about whether or not the aliens are up to something or if INDEX just got very lucky.
Please point out any spelling or grammar mistakes that you spot. Please quote them in the thread and explain what you think is wrong so I know what you are referring to. Feel free to ask questions for more details and information.
